Unlimited: Rejection In Jesus’ Hometown
Apr 4, 2024 2069
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith (Mark 6:1–6, NIV).
What Happened In Jesus’ Hometown?
After healing Jairus’ daughter by the sea, Jesus travelled inland to his hometown, Nazareth. When you think of home, perhaps you think of a place of love and acceptance. Jesus was looking for some rest, and you’d think that he’d find it back home. But sadly, that’s not what happens at all.
Jesus was rejected in his own hometown. It seems that they already know all they need to know about him. They know that he doesn’t have a high level of formal education. They know that he’s a carpenter and they know his mother, and his brothers, and sisters.
Although they can’t deny the wisdom of his teachings or the mighty miracles he’s been performing, they do what most people do when they can’t understand something. Their worldview feels threatened, and so they attack what they don’t understand.
Jesus replies to them by telling them that a prophet does not have honour in his own town, one of the many sayings of Jesus that have become just part of the English language.
But the sad part about this is that although he did so many mighty miracles in other towns, because of their lack of faith, the people who should have been closest to Jesus didn’t receive his blessings.
It’s easy for people who have spent time associating with Jesus to think that they know him. And that’s why it’s easy for them to reject the real Jesus. And ultimately, they will miss out on the blessings that Jesus has for them.
That’s what happens with many people who’ve grown up in religious homes or in church, and they think they know what Jesus is all about. And they don’t like what they see and leave. But they don’t really know the real Jesus. They don’t know what he’s like and what his message actually is.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: Think about it. What’s your experience of Jesus? Do you know the Jesus of the Bible? Have you experienced Him personally?
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